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Speech by CE at Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony 2016 (English only)(with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony 2016 today (August 26):
      
Dr Victor Fung (Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme), distinguished guests, scholars, government colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

     It is my great pleasure to join you all to award scholarships to our scholars under the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme. This is the second annual presentation since I announced the scheme in my 2014 Policy Address.

     My warmest congratulations to our outstanding scholars. You have worked hard to get where you are - you are "excellent" not only in academic pursuit, but also in leadership and community service. I take pride in the exemplary achievements of you all.

     Over the past decades, Hong Kong has become an increasingly active player in global affairs, in business and in other sectors. We no longer focus merely on light manufacturing for example, but also in a broad range of other sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy, railways, telecommunications and financial and professional services, also outside of Hong Kong. Our footprint in the world is now much bigger than the 1,100 square kilometres that make up Hong Kong. Our professional firms in architecture and surveying, for instance, have projects all around the world, including countries such as India, Thailand and Malaysia. Commerce and trade aside, we also engage in extensive international activities such as in health, environment, culture and education.

     For Hong Kong to compete successfully in the 21st century, we must continue to embrace the outside world. Our young generation must get to know the world, and must feel as comfortable in any overseas setting as they are in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, or the New Territories.

     With this in mind, your Government is actively promoting exchanges between our young people and those from other countries. We have the Working Holiday Scheme, various funding schemes for youth exchange and internship outside Hong Kong, as well as the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme.

     Every year, we award up to 100 scholarships for our top students to receive education in great universities outside Hong Kong - to learn, to understand and to befriend in this global village.

     Last year, 92 outstanding students were awarded this scholarship to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies abroad. I myself met some of them during my visit to London last October. I was impressed. Not only by their talent and vision, but also by their dedication to Hong Kong. I was delighted that these young people had kept in touch with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. I hope they will continue to care about Hong Kong - not only during their study abroad, but also after they graduate, and after they start their careers.

     This year, 78 scholars were selected from 681 applicants, and 49 will pursue undergraduate study and 29 postgraduate study at world-renowned institutions of their choosing. Some more students may be added to the list later this year.

     The scholars have diverse interests and talents, ranging from law, engineering, architecture, natural and social sciences, liberal arts and literature, to music and fine arts. Some will pursue less traditional disciplines - forensic science, neuropsychology and music therapy.

     I applaud their passion and ambition. Hong Kong needs a pool of diverse talents to address our varied needs.

     The Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme is part of our effort in encouraging top students to study overseas. This is one side of the coin. The other side is to attract top foreign students, particularly those from less familiar countries, to study in Hong Kong. Currently, the ratio of foreign students in UGC-funded universities is only about 4 per cent, which definitely does not match our international connections. We should certainly encourage more to come, so that our young people can gain wider exposure even if they do not study abroad. This is one reason behind the Government's proposed Belt and Road Scholarship Scheme - to give our campus a greater international flavour, to broaden their outlook and to tease out their curiosity about the world beyond our 1,100 square kilometres.

     Now, I would like to say a few words to our scholars. I am sure you will treasure this life-changing experience. Hold your title with pride, conquer the challenges in your stride, make new friends, be the best ambassador for Hong Kong and bring home knowledge and friendship.

     My sincere gratitude goes to Dr Fung, members of the Steering Committee, as well as members of the interview panels, for your contribution in the past two years.

     Once again, I congratulate the scholars, their parents and teachers. For the new generation will be Hong Kong’s future.

     Thank you.
 
Ends/Friday, August 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:43
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Photo

The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, speaks today (August 26) at the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony 2016.
The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, officiated today (August 26) at the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) Award Presentation Ceremony 2016. Picture shows Mr Leung (front row, centre); the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim (front row, fifth right); and the Chairman of the Steering Committee on the HKSES, Dr Victor Fung (front row, fifth left), with other guests and awardees.

Audio / Video

CE officiates at HK Scholarship for Excellence Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony 2016